Honor Roll Facts

Rotary Honor Roll
Background Information

 

How many schools/How many students?  First program we still have is from 1938; where 2 boys each from 26 schools were selected to attend a regular Rotary meeting.  Highest number of schools reached: 63 in 1968, which had just 206 students. In 2013, we had 59 schools and 411 students.

Other milestones:  1947: Monroe Middle school was included:  this is the current school with the oldest tradition of participation. In 1950, we started selected students based on population – prior to that, it was always two boys per school.  1958 Catholic schools were first included.  1968: Boys Town and Brownell Talbot, the first ‘private’ schools were added.  Millard schools were added in 1979. In 1988, the Scholarship program was first announced.  1990: Girls are now also selected as Honor Roll Students, increase to 2 8^th grade speakers (First Girl: Mary Benecke, Nathan Hale Jr. Hi), 46 schools, 190 students.  In 1994, we added two scholarship speakers to the lunch.  In 2001, a total of 13 scholarships were awarded – in 2004, this was reduced to 6 scholarships: 2 four year and 4 one year scholarships.  We stopped awarding new four year scholarships in 2008 – the last one was paid off in 2012. 

Map of current participating schools: http://www.omaharotaryasp.net/map1/map.html
 

Rotarian Involvement: Each year in the fall, we go out to the schools to present the Honor Roll program.  We have about 30 Rotarians that make the visit to 50+ schools.  Some schools no longer have us come out to present: the reasons vary from not having a large enough space to hold all the 8^th grade, to preferring to have the teachers include it in their regular curriculum.  Last year: we had 4 schools take this option.  Last year, we had the fewest number of Rotarians visiting the schools – just 26.  Over the past 5 years, we have had about 30-32 members.)

Each spring, we have the Honor Roll luncheon.  While the numbers attending have grown each year, the numbers of Rotarians attending has decreased.  Last year, we had 55 Rotarians attend the event from our club:  in 2009-2011, we had an average of 71 members at the event.
 

Expense to the club: The Rotary Honor Roll program is our club’s most costly project.  Except for 3 years (2008-2010) when we received a $10,000 donation from UP, it accounts for 36% to 65% of the total donations given to the Service Fund.  Donations to the Service Fund have decreased for the last 10 years.  The program, including the luncheon, is funded by the cost of the event tickets, donations for sponsorship, and from the Service Fund donations.

What do the students get? Each Rotary Honor Roll student receives a Rotary folder with a pen, a bumper sticker and a copy of the program; as well as lunch.  Each school receives brass nameplates with the students names engraved, and we provide a new wood plaque to the school when the previous plaque is filled.  1 teacher for every 10 students is also given lunch and a parking pass.

As a senior, the Rotary Honor Roll student is eligible to compete for a $1500 scholarship:  6 of these are given.  This program was started in 1988.  Recipients are given a lunch at the Rotary Honor Roll Luncheon.

As a 10^th grader, the Rotary Honor Roll student is eligible to compete for a $200 donation to their charity by the BBB Foundation: up to 10 of these are given, and the students are given a lunch at the BBB Integrity Awards and at the Rotary Honor Roll Luncheon.  This program started in 2011.